Skin Cancer Stories
Patients Share Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and worldwide. There are three major types of skin cancers: basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma.
Below explore our skin cancer stories from patients who describe how they got diagnosed (first symptoms), undergoing treatments, and navigating life with skin cancer.
Note: We are trying to build more skin cancer stories! If you’re interested in sharing yours, please fill out our Intro Survey.

Table Of Contents
Melanoma Stories
Russ H., Melanoma, Stage 4
Symptom: Appearance of what appeared to be a wart at the bottom of his foot
Treatments: Radiation, surgery, immunotherapy
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Abby E., Melanoma, Stage 4
Symptoms: Small yet fast-growing, marble-like growth under right arm; intermittent headaches
Treatments: Radiation, immunotherapy
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Meridith B., Melanoma, Stage 4
Symptom: Seizure
Treatments: Surgery (craniotomy to remove a brain metastasis), immunotherapy
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Kristin M., Melanoma, Stage 3A
Symptom: Change in color and border of a mole on her leg
Treatments: Surgeries (melanoma & lymph node removal), immunomodulator (interferon)
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Megan C., Melanoma, Stage 4
Initial Symptoms: Itchy mole, exhaustion, extreme pain in hip, leg and back
Treatment: Surgery, radiation, immunotherapy
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Caitlyn M., Melanoma, Stage 4
Symptoms: Severe pain on the side pain that worsened over time, pelvic pain and a feeling of pressure resembling labor, swollen lymph node on the cheek
Treatments: Multiple surgeries to remove tumors, targeted therapy (Opdualag/nivolumab and relatlimab-rmbw)
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